VIZAG matters - Sohan Hatangadi's Blog

My article in the Times of India dated 21 Feb 2016 Vizag's hidden history TOI web link People fascinated by Indian history are familiar with historical facts of several old towns and cities such as Varanasi, Hyderabad, Chennai or Mumbai. While most old Indian cities and towns have interesting past our own Vizag has a secret history that has escaped some of us residing here all our lives. We pass by structures surrounded by buildings as we rush about our work scarcely throwing a glance at those forgotten spots that have played a significant part in Vizag’s past. Tourist brochures convey a simplistic view of Vizag’s history describing it as a “sleepy fishing village” that over time transformed into today’s bustling city. Somehow we visualise a bunch of fisher folk sleeping all day. In fact Vizag has been an important town for many centuries and has witnessed the ebb and tide of rulers, armies, cultures and outstanding men of vision - who slept very little. What’s in a n...

There is one place all of us are headed to   The end of the road, the last halt…the giant terminal-terminus in the sky, the point of no return. Yep, we are all going to die. They say we cannot escape death or taxes - unless its funds stashed away in Swiss banks, in which case you are safe till Baba Ramdev gets you - but cheat death? Naah! So, if we are all going to pop it, why does the after death experience become hell for those who we leave behind? Take for example a death in a Hindu family. Spouses, children or parents go into a numb state of mourning. A support group generally steps in and takes over the management of the last rites. Forms are filled and if it happens in a hospital - bills are settled. Relatives and friends are informed. A mortuary cooler is brought in, flowers are procured, a poojari is entrusted to perform the rituals. Typically on the day after, the body is moved to the Crematorium. The wise men of the past advised that only men should go...